“Now is not the time to change Prime Minister”: Chesterfield MP issues statement in support of Keir Starmer amid resignation calls
Chesterfield MP has argued that giving the Prime Minister another change was a “far wiser option” than “spending months of soul searching in an internal leadership contest”.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins is among over 100 Labour MPs who have signed a statement supporting Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid calls for his resignation.
Mr Perkins said this was “not the time to change Prime Minister” and argued that a leadership change would be a “significant mistake”.
In an online statement issued on Tuesday, May 12, Chesterfield MP said: “I wish to make clear that I reject these calls and want the Prime Minister to continue in his post.
"We were elected in 2024, in part to bring stability and an end to the constant revolving door of leadership under the last government, and to lurch into a crisis of our own less than two years after the last General election would be a significant mistake.
“Theresa May resigned because she had lost her party, Boris Johnson in disgrace because he had lied to the House of Commons and Liz Truss because her policies had failed. None of these apply to Keir Starmer.
"In fact, without overlooking some significant missteps, he has already implemented much of the manifesto he was elected to deliver.”
Mr Perkins has listed a number of changes that the Labour Government under Keir Starmer’s leadership has introduced since the 2024 General Election.
These included “the biggest increase in renewable energy generation ever”, delivering over seven million more NHS appointments and bringing waiting times down, introducing legislation to strengthen workers and renters rights, launching breakfast clubs across schools and embarking on a “historic new approach to Special needs education”.
Commenting on Keir Starmer’s criticism and recent “worst-ever” local election results, Toby Perkins added: “Keir has made mistakes, and our results last week were disastrous.
"The danger of a Reform government is real, but I earnestly believe that giving him the time and space to improve, with the backing of a ministerial team all pulling in the right direction, is a far wiser option than spending months of soul searching in an internal leadership contest with all the upheaval and division that will reap at such a perilous time in global affairs.
"The Prime Minister must now rise to the occasion and renew his commitment into delivering the change our country needs, and the party should give him their backing to deliver.”